Zion Puckett has witnessed much change since his 2019 arrival at Auburn. He was a freshman during Guz Malzhan’s final season as Tigers’ coach, played through Bryan Harsin’s 19-game tenure, Cadillac Williams as interim coach, and now in his fifth season is here for Hugh Freeze’s first campaign.

Puckett appreciates Freeze’s effort in recruiting and relationship-building skills. He sees Freeze as the right man to lead Auburn toward success.

“I love Coach Freeze,” Puckett said. “I feel like his drive in everything he tells you and everything he brings to the table is something that’s really true. He loves his players, and it’s all about recruiting with us.”

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Puckett had opportunities to leave via the transfer portal or to try his luck with the NFL Draft. He decided to stay at Auburn because he believes the program can return to its winning ways.

“I would say the best thing that I’ve been through is, through the storm, I would say, just going through adversity, overcoming it, not thinking about transferring. I just feel like that helped me a lot with being here and strengthening my faith in God.

Puckett posted 45 tackles, two pass breakups, a quarterback sack, and forced one fumble. He’d like to add some interceptions and help the team create more turnovers without overly focusing on it. He believes the big plays will come if the unit is focused.

“It’s probably not a point of emphasis,” Puckett said. “I think the main thing is assignment, alignment, and executing, and then the plays will fall in your hands. As long as you do your job, the production will go up.”

Despite a losing season in 2022, there was joy for Puckett in watching Cadillac Williams become interim head coach at Auburn. Puckett has ambitions of getting into coaching once his playing career is over. Seeing Williams become the first Black man to coach in the Iron Bowl inspired Puckett’s endeavors.

“I feel like, going down the road, I might be a coach somewhere,” Puckett said. “I feel like I can impact children and also other people around me the right way. I feel like once you see something like that, the first time in history here, I feel like it’s something that gives you a drive because you know it can be done. Once you see something done once, you know everybody else can do it.”

Nubyjas Wilborn covers Alabama Media Group.